Modern Essex man who has the key to victory

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Europe alone won’t be enough to win in 2015. The Conservatives must become the party of the little people

I have known Robert Halfon, the Conservative MP for Harlow, from university days. I remember him winning a charity ravioli-eating competition, guzzling pasta faster than any human ever should. He was not well after his eating extravaganza. Not well at all.

Rob was the first person I met at Exeter University in October 1988 and we’ve been friends ever since. I remember him in student union debates — attempting to rename the student union corridor in honour of Norman Tebbit. I remember him walking around our hall of residence, wearing slippers featuring a Spitting Image cartoon of Margaret Thatcher. Most of